Move over, Chronicles of Narnia, there’s a new dreamworld of magic in town. That’s right. Andrew Fischer, CEO of Colorado-based marketing company NURV, has recruited a stellar cast of Meme-lebrities, including Antoine Dodson of Hide Yo Wife, Hide Yo Kids fame, Double Rainbow videographer Paul Vasquez, Brian Collins (the “Boom goes the dynamite” kid), and “Numa Numa” vocalist Gary Brolsma, for a feature-length film entitled “The Chronicles of Rick Roll”.
The title, as you probably know, is derived from the meme to rule them all: the music video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”, which became the source of a viral prank, called “Rick Rolling”. Thanks to Rick Rolling, never again will you be able to say to your friend, “hey, you should check out this amazing video of Steve Jobs singing karaoke,” without being suspected of collusion with Rick Astley.
Of course, with a title like this, it would only be fitting if the film itself were one large prank. However, it seems that Fischer is serious. Though he hasn’t yet secured distribution, there is a website, a script, and apparently the actors will be paid. According to a press release, Antoine Dodson has actually seen the script. His response: “They sent me like a piece of the script and I read it and I was like, oh my god, this is going to be so epic”.
Will it be a Shakespearean tragedy? A coming of age tale? Will “Sad Keanu” find redemption? Based on the trailer, it’s hard to imagine how the plot will play out, but it seems very unlikely that this will be a documentary in which the YouTube sensations all have frank discussions about why they are famous. But, needless to say, I’m intrigued. Very intrigued.
The Web has created a vibrant culture of memes, many of which have already migrated to other media, so it was only a matter of time before a “best of” hit the big screen. And, to be honest, I’m glad the gathering is taking place there rather than in a reality show format — or on the Island of Dr. Moreau.
Regardless of how we feel about web celebrities, it’s important to remember that it’s only a matter of time before Keyboard Cat plays us all out.
Check out the trailer below and let us know if you would see this movie.